February 24, 2012

Comedian Maher to give $1 million to Obama "Super PAC"

(Reuters) - Comedian Bill Maher has pledged $1 million to an independent "super PAC" set up to help President Barack Obama win re-election in November that has been lagging far behind its Republican rivals in fundraising.

Maher made the pledge on Thursday night during his standup comedy special "Crazy Stupid Politics: Live from Silicon Valley" in San Jose, California, which was streamed live on Yahoo. A spokeswoman for Maher confirmed the pledge on Friday.

"I would like to tonight announce a donation to the Obama super PAC, which has the very unfortunate tongue-twister name Priority USA Action. I know it was named by Borat," he said, referring to a bumbling Kazakhstan reporter movie character.

In a statement Maher said that having Obama as president over his Republican rivals was "worth a million dollars."

The contribution comes just days after Priorities USA, the pro-Obama "super" political action committee (PAC), reported to the Federal Election Commission that it raised a measly $59,000 in January.

The sum contrasted sharply with the millions of dollars shored up by rival groups supporting Republican candidates who hope to unseat Obama and reinforced concerns among Obama's advisers that despite his campaign's known fundraising strength, Republican PACs could help the opposition outspend the president's re-election efforts this year.

Obama's campaign is still a fundraising juggernaut, having already raised more than $106 million. But individual donations to campaigns are limited to $2,500 during the primary season and another $2,500 for the fall general campaign.

Super PACs, spawned by a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that banned limits on fundraising and spending by independent political groups, can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as they do not coordinate with the campaigns.

Until earlier this month, Obama, who opposed the Supreme Court decision that created super PACs, kept a distance from Priorities USA. Amid the multi-million-dollar activity of Republican super PACs, however, the Obama campaign reversed its position to allow top officials to appear at Priorities USA events.

The pro-Obama super PAC now says that decision has notably boosted its fundraising in February, although has not disclosed just how much. The group is due to report its February contributions and spending on March 20.

On Thursday, just three days after its paltry FEC report, Priorities USA spent $230,000 in Michigan, the next battleground in the state-by-state nominating contest, against Romney, who is fighting to regain the top spot in the Republican race.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols in New York and Alina Selyukh in Washington; Editing by Bill Trott)

Greg Giraldo, a comedian known for his frequent appearances on Comedy Central’s “Roast” series, passed away on Sept. 29 at age 44. He began his career as a stand-up comic, performing numerous times on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Late Show with Conan O’Brien.” He appeared with Colin Quinn on “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn,” on Lewis Black’s “Root of All Evil,” and earlier this year was a panelist on Seinfeld’s “The Marriage Ref." Mr. Giraldo and former wife Mary-Ann have three children.

Tickets, which go on sale Dec. 18, are priced $61.50-$224.50 (plus surcharges), and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or 866 858-0008) and at the Beacon Theatre Box Office (located at 2124 Broadway, between 74th and 75th).

Jerry Seinfeld surprised sports comedy troupe 12 Angry Mascots during its performance at Gotham Comedy Club Monday night. The comic popped up during the Mascots' scheduled variety show-style act with their guest star, Giants safety Antrel Rolle. An audience member reports Seinfeld's material went over well, including this joke about Mercedes: "Have you seen the commercial for Mercedes where they show how the car helps you correct mistakes while you're driving? [A driver says], 'I didn't realize I'd drifted out of my lane.' What the hell were you doing? You didn't notice you were out of your lane?! That's what you do with a car; you try to keep it in the lane. 'I didn't notice a truck had stopped.' Well what were you noticing? Get on a bus if you're that unobservant." After his performance, Seinfeld chatted with the club's manager in the lobby about cars, then got into his vintage Porsche and took off.

September 05, 2010

Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will take to the road with his band and longtime friend and musical co-conspirator David Lindley. Browne's Tour will make a stop at Albany's Palace Theatre on September 7, 2010!

9/15/2010

An Evening with Diana Ross

"More Today Than Yesterday"THE GREATEST HITS TOUR

Diana Ross is an American Icon. During the 1960s, she helped shape the Motown Sound as lead singer of The Supremes, before leaving the group for a solo career. Since the beginning of her career with The Supremes and as a solo artist, Ross has released 67 albums and sold more than 100 million records.

9/17/2010

Tracy Morgan LIVE!

Tracy Morgan is perhaps best known for his years on Saturday Night Live and for his role as the eccentric TV star Tracy Jordan in Tina Fey's hit television series 30 Rock, a role he was born to play. A stand-up comedian since the early 1990s, Morgan got his break into television as "Hustleman" on the hit Martin Lawrence series, Martin which led to a gig as a regular cast member of SNL, and from 1996 to 2003 Morgan earned a following with characters such as Brian Fellow (Brian Fellow's Safari Planet) and Astronaut Jones, as well as his celebrity impersonations, including Star Jones and Maya Angelou.

For six years running, Platanos & Collard Greens has had audiences falling out of their seats laughing and standing up and cheering at this hilarious romantic tale. The story of two lovers from different cultures, Platanos is a thought provoking romantic comedy that addresses stereotypes, prejudices and urban myths within the context of hip-hop, humor and satire. Platanos will remind you of your family, your loves and your life and is gauranteed to make you laugh and inspire you!

9/24/2010

Brian Regan Live In Concert

Critics and peers agree: Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations. Releasing two critically acclaimed hour Comedy Central specials and DVD's in as many years - 2008's "The Epitome of Hyperbole," and 2007's "Brian Regan Standing Up" - Brian has set a standard of excellence that others continually try to follow.

Brian's non-stop theater tour has visited more than 80 cities each year since 2005 and continues through 2010. It is the quality of his material, relatable to a wide audience and revered by his peers, which continues to grow Brian's fan base.

9/25/2010

Dark Star Orchestra

CONTINUING THE GRATEFUL DEAD CONCERT EXPERIENCE!

Using entire shows from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring as a launching pad, Dark Star Orchestra recreates the original song for song performance set list for an entirely new generation of, as well as old school, Deadheads. Dark Star Orchestra presents its critically acclaimed live show at esteemed venues from coast to coast and internationally.

From jazz guitar legend to R&B/pop vocalist extraordinaire, 8-time Grammy winner George Benson is an amazingly versatile musician who can play in just about any style, all with supreme taste, a beautiful tone, and an unquenchable urge to swing. In addition to his virtuosic guitar playing, Benson also sings in a lush soulful tenor with mannerisms similar to those of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway. With such mega hits over his four-decade career as "This Masquerade," "On Broadway," "The Greatest Love of All," and "Give Me the Night," Benson has earned the well-deserved reputation as one of music's most enterprising and engaging stars.

The highly acclaimed singer songwriter perhaps best known for her Oscar nominated song "Save Me" from the Magnolia soundtrack. Mann has always been known for her clever, literate, and dryly witty takes on emotional sabotage and self-destruction. She will be making her debut at the Paramount.

Bruce Hornsby, a thirteen-time Grammy nominee, has won three Grammys - in 1987 with the Range for "Best New Artist" for their debut album The Way It Is; in 1989 for "Best Bluegrass Recording" for his version of his hit "The Valley Road" which appeared on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume II; and with Branford Marsalis in 1993 for "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for their song for the Barcelona Olympics, "Barcelona Mona." Bruce's latest nominations were in 2004 for "Song F", from his Columbia album Halcyon Days, and in 2006 for "Song H" from his box set Intersections. Hornsby's thirteen albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide.

Over the past 35 years, The East L.A. five-piece Los Lobos has assembled a body of work diverse enough to cripple most bands and to captivate fans world wide. Along the way, they've redefined how a rock band-and rock music-can sound. Many musical groups are eclectic, but few are both as unpredictable and successful as Los Lobos. The band has notched a number one single, won three Grammys, and sold millions of records.

Any discussion of Buddy Guy invariably involves a recitation of his colossal musical resume and hard- earned accolades. He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a chief guitar influence to rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago's fabled West Side, and a living link to that city's halcyon days of electric blues. Internationally acclaimed, a five-time Grammy Award winner and now an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Guy has firmly cemented a blues legacy that places him squarely in the company of his heroes who came before.

This wonderful African folktale from the colorful Zimbabwe region is based on Caldecott Award winner, John Steptoe's breakthrough book of the same name. Told through clear narration, African dance, drumming and song, as well as a splash of audience participation! Adapted for the stage by the critically acclaimed, Dallas Children's Theater, this wonderful Cinderella tale celebrates virtue and kindness of the heart. (Appropriate for ages 6 and older)

Sponsored by WHUD 100.7 FM, the Ronald McDonald Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation

Time has been an essential ingredient in the Smothers Brothers' success. They have been considered ahead of their time; masters of timing and practitioners of timeless comedy. Now, with their 50th anniversary as show business professionals coming up, the Smothers Brothers are being saluted as time- honored legends, whose lengthy career has surpassed all other comedy teams in history.

Come experience the classic silent film UNDERWORLD with live music by the acclaimedAlloy Orchestra, a Paramount favorite and called the "best in the world at accompanying silent films" by Roger Ebert. A favorite of audiences and critics alike, Underworld is credited as the first gangster film, and the model for the popular genre. UNDERWORLD was von Sternberg's first professional film, and the film that launched his very successful career. Ben Hecht, who wrote the screenplay for the film, won the first ever Academy Award for best writing (before they started calling it "screenplay").

Sat, May 2

8pm

The highly acclaimed Grammy Award-winning songwriter is best known for his timeless hit "Walking in Memphis." He comes to the Paramount in support of his newest release Join the Parade, a recording that is being called his most accomplished and compelling album to date. Throughout his career, Cohn has translated complex and private emotions into lyrical song-poetry and then set those words to music of remarkable depth, toughness, and complexity. In doing so, Marc has created a body of work that is certain to touch a universal chord of memory and feeling.

Please join us at this SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT for our dear friend, artist, drummer, and teacher Kazi Oliver. Kazi has touched so many lives with his spirit, his drumming, and his teaching. Now it is our turn to repay the favor and give something back to Kazi in the form of love, drums, and music. Your support at this event will help raise important funds for Kazi's medical and health expenses. Please spread the word and join us for this celebration of life and music.

Tues, May 5

8pm

The B-52s have come a long way since their revolutionary 1979 self-titled debut, featuring the evergreen "Rock Lobster." Following the loss of founding member Ricky Wilson in 1985, the group rebounded with their triumphant 1989 smash Cosmic Thing, which spawned the Top 10 hits "Love Shack" and "Roam." Although their last recordings to be made commercially available were the songs "Debbie" and "Hallucinating Pluto" for the 1998 anthology Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation, the band has remained a popular and active live touring act. The group will also be performing songs from their new album Funplex, the first record of the 21st century from the B-52s.

This is a RENTAL event. Paramount membership and gift certificate policies do not apply.

HUDSON RIVER MILES

HUDSON RIVER MILES

The Hudson is measured north from Hudson River Mile 0 at the Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan. The George Washington Bridge is at HRM 12, the Tappan Zee 28, Bear Mountain 47, Beacon-Newburgh 62, Mid-Hudson 75, Kingston-Rhinecliff 95, Rip Van Winkle 114, and the Federal Dam at Troy, the head of tidewater, at 153. Entries from points east and west in the watershed reference the corresponding river mile on the mainstem.